Neurodiversity Nevermind

// 2023-06-28, 1 min read, #mental health

Over the past couple years I have been slowly working on a write up in support of certain "neurodiversity" language. I've spent the last eleven years volunteering in an online mental health support group and I've seen how people have found the neurodiversity terminology and language useful to describe their experiences. But I have also seen how the neurodiversity _movement_ has erased lived experiences of neurodiverse people, those with mental health issues, and those who are assumed to be "neurotypical."

Judy Singer, who coined the specific term "neurodiverse" has stated that this is a state of the world, just like it is biodiverse. There is no "typical," for we are all part of the diversity. She even has a later writing that actually calls out the movement for some of the issues I've mentioned as well as some others.

There's also an argument to be made that you cannot assume any person to be neurotypical, because you do not have any insight into their mind, and most of the time you only see a slice of their life, e.g. coworkers, friends, certain family members, etc.

Alas, I will not be linking to her writings, nor will I be continuing my own on the subject. Judy Singer is a transphobe. She did it right there on her public twitter account for all to see. So frankly, I have no intention of exploring her ideas any further.

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